Bio-Industry Action Summit to Offer Insight Into Value Added Business Opportunities

FARGO, ND--(Marketwired - Apr 18, 2014) - Business, technology and agriculture will converge on May 21 at North Dakota State University where attendees will learn about business opportunities and economics of regional bio-based products and materials at the Future of the Bio-Industry Action Summit 2014.

The inaugural Bio-Industry summit is co-hosted by the Red River Valley Research Corridor, the NDSU Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, the Bioscience Association of North Dakota and North Dakota Department of Commerce's Office of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency. The theme of the Summit, "Feed, Fuel, Heal and Build the World" will explore advances, trends and opportunities in bio-energy, bio-products, bio-materials, bio-technology and bio-medical technology products. The summit will feature national and local speakers with ample time for networking.

"The Summit will demonstrate the breadth of products that can be developed from biological materials such as plastics, cleaners, concrete, building materials, restaurant to-go containers, etc.," said Ken Hellevang, NDSU Extension Service Agricultural Engineering Specialist and Agricultural Engineering professor. "The event also features a variety of opportunities that exist for the bio-based businesses and will showcase local bio-industries' work and research."

Attendees will be exposed to business and economic development opportunities, research advancements, and technology development. The summit aims to answer questions about organic-based technology serving as an economic driver in the region and will also illustrate how innovators and economic developers in the region capitalize on the opportunities contained in abundant natural regional resources.

The event is open to the public and the registration fee is $100 if you register before April 30. After the early bird deadline, the registration price increases to $125. Students can attend free of charge.

Featured speakers and agenda highlights include:

• Steve Padgette, Vice President of Biotechnology at Monsanto
• Cathy Enright, Executive Vice President for Food And Agriculture at Biotechnology Industry Organization
• Advancing the Biochemical Industry
• Economical Potential of Ethanol Derivatives and other Biochemicals
• Evaluating Product Opportunities

Attendees will have the opportunity to interface and network with presenters, industry experts, vendors and new partners during this fast-paced one day industry event. Exhibitor space and sponsorship opportunities are still available at three levels:

• Exhibitor only: 10x10 exhibition booth - $750
• Supporter sponsorship: $1,000
• Premier sponsorship: $3,000

For more information, to register, to attend or sponsor, please visit the Red River Valley Research Corridor website at www.theresearchcorridor.com/bioindustrysummit.

About the Red River Valley Research Corridor
The Red River Valley Research Corridor is a non-profit corporation in North Dakota. It is committed to catalyzing and promoting science, technology, training and engineering initiatives that create new economic opportunities in the Upper Great Plains region.

About North Dakota State University Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABEN)
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABEN) bring together the knowledge of living systems, engineering technologies and a social conscience to solve the tough problems facing our planet. Men and women in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering are professional engineers with commitments to the well-being of humans, animals, plants and ecosystems. They are highly-skilled in developing innovative approaches to solving problems affecting all types of living systems and in developing products from biological resources.

About Bioscience Association of North Dakota
The Bioscience Association of North Dakota is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of bioscience to commercialize, grow and sustain globally competitive bioscience companies, creating high-quality jobs and economic opportunity in North Dakota.